Carbonate pigment compositions are provided. In some instances, the pigment compositions are CO2 sequestering pigment compositions. Also provided are methods of making and using the pigment compositions, e.g., in paints and coatings, as well as other applications.

Carbonate pigment compositions are provided. In some instances, the pigment compositions are CO2 sequestering pigment compositions. Also provided are methods of making and using the pigment compositions, e.g., in paints and coatings, as well as other applications.

A solar panel using a light guiding component for receiving external light includes at least one solar cell, a transparent back plate, a transparent cover plate, a light guiding component and a packaging material. The transparent back plate is located on a first side of the solar cell. The transparent cover plate is located on a second side of the solar cell for passing and projecting the light to the solar cell and the transparent back plate. The light guiding component is located on the first side of the solar cell. The packaging material is disposed between the transparent cover plate and the transparent back plate for packaging the solar cell. The solar cell is packaged between the transparent back plate and the transparent cover plate, such that after the light projects to the light guiding component, the light guiding component scatters the light.

A solar power system may comprise a back sheet that comprises an interconnect circuit coupling a plurality of cell tiles. A tiled solar cell, comprising a solar cell and encapsulating and glass layers, is inserted into the cell tiles of the hack sheet. Each solar cell is individually addressable through the use of the interconnect circuit. Moreover, the interconnect circuit of the back sheet is programmable and allows for dynamic interconnect routing between solar cells.

The present invention relates to a backsheet for photovoltaic modules comprising a polymeric layer comprising an aliphatic polyamide comprising 1,10-decanedioic acid. Examples of such aliphatic polyamides are polyamide 4,10, polyamide 5,10 or polyamide 6,10. Preferably polyamide 4,10 is present in the rear layer of the backsheet. A polyolefin layer is preferably present in the core layer of the backsheet. It is however also possible that the polyamide is present in the core layer and polyolefin is present in the rear layer of the backsheet. The polyolefin is preferably chosen from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene or ethylene-propylene copolymers. More preferably the polyolefin is polypropylene. The backsheet preferably comprises at least a further polymeric layer comprising a polymer selected from the group consisting of an optionally functionalized polyolefin such as a maleic anhydride functionalized polypropylene homo or copolymer. The present invention further relates to a photovoltaic module containing essentially, in order of position from the front-sun facing side to the back non-sun-facing side, a transparent pane, a front encapsulant layer, a solar cell layer comprised of one or more electrically interconnected solar cells, a back encapsulant layer and the back-sheet according to the present invention.

One embodiment can provide a photovoltaic roof tile. The photovoltaic roof tile can include a transparent front cover, a transparent back cover, and a plurality of polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structures positioned between the front cover and the back cover. A respective polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structure has a front surface facing the front cover and a back surface facing the back cover. The photovoltaic roof tile can further include a paint layer positioned on a back surface of the back cover facing away from the front cover. A color of the paint layer substantially matches a color of the front surface of the respective polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structure.

One embodiment can provide a photovoltaic roof tile. The photovoltaic roof tile can include a transparent front cover, a transparent back cover, and a plurality of polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structures positioned between the front cover and the back cover. A respective polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structure has a front surface facing the front cover and a back surface facing the back cover. The photovoltaic roof tile can further include a paint layer positioned on a back surface of the back cover facing away from the front cover. A color of the paint layer substantially matches a color of the front surface of the respective polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structure.

One embodiment can provide a solar roof tile. The solar roof tile can include a front cover, a back cover, one or more photovoltaic structures positioned between the front cover and the back cover, and an optical filter positioned between the front cover and the photovoltaic structures. The optical filter is configured to block light within a predetermined spectral range, thereby preventing the light from reflecting off surfaces of the photovoltaic structures to exit the solar roof tile.

One embodiment can provide a solar roof tile. The solar roof tile can include a front cover, a back cover, one or more photovoltaic structures positioned between the front cover and the back cover, and an optical filter positioned between the front cover and the photovoltaic structures. The optical filter is configured to block light within a predetermined spectral range, thereby preventing the light from reflecting off surfaces of the photovoltaic structures to exit the solar roof tile.

The present invention provides a protective backing sheet for photovoltaic modules. The backing sheet has a layer including fluoropolymer which is cured on a substrate, and the layer includes a hydrophobic silica. The amount of hydrophobic silica contained in the layer is within the range of 2.5 to 15.0% by weight, and preferably in the range of 7.5 to 12.5%. Also, the layer including fluoropolymer may further include a titanium dioxide.